In the religious myths, the creative will appears…
““In the religious myths, the creative will appears personified in God, and man already feels himself guilty when he assumes himself to be like God, that is, to ascribe this will to himself. In the heroic myths on the contrary, man appears as himself, creative and guilt for his suffering and fall is ascribed to God, that is, to his own will. Both are only extreme reaction phenomena of man wavering between his Godlikeness and his nothingness, whose will is awakened to the knowledge of its power and whose consciousness is aroused to terror before it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human beings oscillate between divine aspiration and existential emptiness, feeling guilt when assuming godlike creativity and attributing suffering to a higher power.
In simple terms: Man feels guilt when acting like a god and blames God for suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance personal agency with humility.
Themes
identity
guilt
mythology
existentialism
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative projects
- spiritual practice
- therapy
- leadership
Key Concepts
divine aspiration
self‑awareness
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal ambition with humility?
- When does attributing guilt to external forces hinder growth?
A Different Perspective
May overlook cultural context and individual differences.